SIGNED PHOTOS BY THE REAGANS TO LILLIAN GISH – THE FIRST LADY OF AMERICAN CINEMA MEETS THE ACTUAL PRESIDENT AND FIRST LADY

RONALD REAGAN (1911-2004). Reagan was the Fortieth President.

NANCY REAGAN (1921-2016). Reagan was First Lady.

LILLIAN GISH (1893-1993). The long-lived Gish was a prolific film actress sometimes called “The First Lady of American Cinema”. Her first movie credit was in 1912, and her last was in 1987.

PsS. N.d. [1981]. N.p. [Washington]. A pair of color photographs signed “Ron” and “Nancy” as President and First Lady. Taken at a 1981 White House event shortly after Reagan’s inauguration, the photos depict the Reagans with long-lived film actress Lillian Gish. Coming from a Hollywood background themselves, Ron and Nancy certainly would have known Gish, who was at this time still a working actress into her late eighties. “Dear Lillian – It was wonderful seeing you again. Let’s do this more often. Warm Regards Ron” and “To my dear Lillian – With much love Nancy”. Both photos are in fine condition.

CHIEF JUSTICE WILLIAM REHNQUIST SIGNS A COPY OF THE BUSH V. GORE DECISION THAT DECIDED THE 2000 PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION

WILLIAM H. REHNQUIST (1924-2005). Rehnquist was a longtime Supreme Court Justice. He served for thirty-three years, including almost twenty as Chief Justice.

SB. 12pgs. N.d. N.p. A published copy of a major Supreme Court decision signed “William H Rehnquist” as Chief Justice of the Supreme Court on the first page. It is a copy of the Supreme Court’s December 12, 2000 decision in the monumental Bush v. Gore case. The Supreme Court which essentially decided the 2000 Presidential election in George W. Bush’s favor by preventing a recount of contested Florida ballets. Rehnquist had been Chief Justice during this major episode in the history of American elections.  This is not the small bound printings issued by the Court, but a larger printing done elsewhere; it is not bound and it is in fine condition.

FDR WRITES TO HIS FORMER LAW PARTNER AND LONGTIME FRIEND, BASIL O’CONNOR

FRANKLIN ROOSEVELT (1882-1945). Roosevelt was President of the United States.

BASIL O’CONNOR (1892-1972). O’Connor was Franklin Roosevelt’s longtime friend and law partner until Roosevelt became President.

TLS. 1pg. December 2, 1935. Warm Springs, Georgia.  A typed letter signed “FDR” as President on “The White House” letterhead. Roosevelt wrote to his former law partner, Basil O’Connor, in New York. “Dear Doc: - Will you keep Miss Wallace in mind? I cannot begin any cataloguing until I have unpacked the records and that will be work for about one year more. She sounds thoroughly qualified. As ever yours, FDR”.  The letter has a stamp in the upper right-hand corner indicating when it was received at the offices of O’Connor & Farber and a handwritten notation by O’Connor.  There is a mailing fold and it is in very good condition.

FRANKLIN ROOSEVELT WRITES THAT “MRS. ROOSEVELT AND I HAVE ALWAYS BEEN MEMBERS OF THE PROTESTANT EPISCOPAL CHURCH AND I AM THE SENIOR WARDEN OF OUR LITTLE CHURCH AT HYDE PARK”

FRANKLIN ROOSEVELT (1882-1945). Roosevelt was the Thirty-Second President.

TLS. 1pg. 8” x 10”. November 20, 1930. Warm Springs, Georgia.  A typed letter signed “Franklin D. Roosevelt” as New York Governor.  He wrote to George Wandling of Kansas City, Missouri on “Executive Chamber” letterhead: “Thank you for your letter which I find on my arrival at Warm Springs.  I appreciate your thinking of me.  You ask what Church I belong to – both Mrs. Roosevelt and I have always been members of the Protestant Episcopal Church and I am the Senior Warden of our little Church at Hyde Park, Dutchess County, New York.”  The letter is matted with the letter and the envelope; the letter is in very fine condition and the envelope has scuffing and wear.  A fine FDR letter about his religious beliefs.

PRESIDENT FRANKLIN ROOSEVELT RESPONDS TO SENATOR McADOO’S VIEWS ON THE NEWLY-FORMED UNITED STATES MARITIME COMMISSION

FRANKLIN ROOSEVELT (1882-1945). Roosevelt was the Thirty-Second President.

WILLIAM GIBBS McADOO (1863-1941). McAdoo was the Secretary of the Treasury under Woodrow Wilson and later served as a Senator from California.

TLS. 1pg. December 23, 1937. The White House. A typed letter signed “Franklin D Roosevelt” as President. On “The White House” letterhead, the missive is addressed to Senator William Gibbs McAdoo of California: “My dear Senator: Thank you very much for your letter of December twenty-first, setting forth your views with reference to the need for a Pacific Coast States representative on the Maritime Commission. I am glad to have your statements and want to assure you that they will have every consideration. With all good wishes, Very sincerely yours, Franklin D Roosevelt”. The United States Maritime Commission was a governmental agency established in 1936 for the building and operation of merchant ships. The commission existed until 1950. The letter, on seafoam green stationer, is in fine condition with one small red dot in the lower right corner.